New York Yankees 2009/10 Off Season Thread - Championship Edition!

[thomamon]

I figured I may as well get it started

As far as Matsui and Damon go, IMO, they should only bring back one of them, if that... I know we all fell in love again with both of them in the World Series again, but let us not forget we need the DH for Posada. His catching days are just about done, the little skills he had there are all but gone. I would expect to see Cervelli as the starting catcher this year, with Posada getting some time there, but being the DH more.

I would love Damon back, but he would have to accept a 2 year deal and making less then the 14M he made this year. If not, I would let him go as well. Lets face it, his OF skills have diminished, every ball hit to him we hold our breath anymore.

I don't think we lose too much if we move Melky to left and start Gardner in center. Lets face it, the bulk of our offense comes from the infield. We can either go with Gardner leading off and Jeter back to 2nd, or put Melky in the 2 hole. Imagine what he could do with Tex and A-Rod batting behind him?

With Mattsui and Damon gone, we can cut the payroll by 28 Million. Thats not even including what we will save from Nady's contract.

[MorseMoose]

Who are you guys pinning for this offseason?

Holliday?
Duchscherer?
Cameron?
Bedard?
Bay?
Lackey?
Molina?
Garland?
Soriano?
Rodney?

All of the above? That doesn't even include the choice between Damon/Matsui.

[thomamon]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

Who are you guys pinning for this offseason?

Holliday?
Duchscherer?
Cameron?
Bedard?
Bay?
Lackey?
Molina?
Garland?
Soriano?
Rodney?

All of the above? That doesn't even include the choice between Damon/Matsui.

We're gonna lay back this year and save our money for Mauer next year

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by thomamon

We're gonna lay back this year and save our money for Mauer next year

Save money? You call yourself a Yankee fan? You could sign half of those guys AND get Mauer next year.

Since Mauer will be signing an extension with the Twins, gotta stock up now to work out a trade. Who'd you trade for Mauer?

[DWK]

Originally Posted by thomamon

We're gonna lay back this year and save our money for Mauer next year

Yes in deed

[mlyons]

I think one of Matsui and Damon is likely to go (probably Matsui, unless somebody makes Damon a big offer), with maybe a 50% chance of being replaced through free agency. The Yankees will make offers to Holliday and Bay but I don't think they'll go crazy in a bidding war, at least in terms of committing extra years on the contract.

I do think they'll go hard after another starting pitcher, but since the free agent market looks a little threadbare, they'll probably go the trade route there. Hallasay's the obvious target, but I bet Arizona would be willing to part with Brandon Webb for the right offer. Cole Hamels might be on his way out of Philly, too.

I don't see much else big happening. The bench and the back end of the bullpen will probably get reshuffled, but there won't be a big name involved there, I don't think.

[mlyons]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

Save money? You call yourself a Yankee fan? You could sign half of those guys AND get Mauer next year.

The Yankees saved money this year.

[thomamon]

Originally Posted by mlyons

I think one of Matsui and Damon is likely to go (probably Matsui, unless somebody makes Damon a big offer), with maybe a 50% chance of being replaced through free agency. The Yankees will make offers to Holliday and Bay but I don't think they'll go crazy in a bidding war, at least in terms of committing extra years on the contract.

I do think they'll go hard after another starting pitcher, but since the free agent market looks a little threadbare, they'll probably go the trade route there. Hallasay's the obvious target, but I bet Arizona would be willing to part with Brandon Webb for the right offer. Cole Hamels might be on his way out of Philly, too.

I don't see much else big happening. The bench and the back end of the bullpen will probably get reshuffled, but there won't be a big name involved there, I don't think.

Well, what kills Matsui is that he can't play the outfield at all, that is why I lean towards them keeping Damon, if they keep either of them.

Hairston will probably be back, I think he's a great bench player. They do need a righty setup man, that is for sure. Hughes will probably go back into the rotation, as he should.

[mlyons]

Originally Posted by thomamon

Well, what kills Matsui is that he can't play the outfield at all, that is why I lean towards them keeping Damon, if they keep either of them.

Hairston will probably be back, I think he's a great bench player. They do need a righty setup man, that is for sure. Hughes will probably go back into the rotation, as he should.

I think Joba's going to go back into the bullpen as the righty setup man. If he doesn't, I really like David Robertson in that role, especially if he can cut down on the walks.

[thomamon]

Originally Posted by mlyons

I think Joba's going to go back into the bullpen as the righty setup man. If he doesn't, I really like David Robertson in that role, especially if he can cut down on the walks.

I guarantee Joba will not be in the pen next year. The Yankees did not baby him, mess with his head and do what they did to him just to put him back in to the pen next year.

Next year he can pretty much be a full fledged starter. As soon as he was starting to get into a rhythm this year and pitching well, is when the Yanks started to mess with him. I really want to see what he can do when he knows he is going to start every 5 days as I am sure so do the Yankees.

[yankeesrule]

Should make for an interesting offseason, as always At most, I only see them keeping 1 of Matsui and Damon, probably Damon because he can play some OF whereas Matsui at this point cant play the outfield at all. I could also see them making a play for a guy like Figgins to replace Damon both in LF and at the top of the order. They'll probably get involved somewhat in the Bay/Holliday bidding but once things get past the $15-$16 mil per range, they'll probably drop out. For the bench, I could see them retaining Hinske and Hairston if they'll sign cheap. Depending on what they do with the LF situation, they could also give Austin Jackson some time in ST and see how he looks so far. Additionally, unless they retain Matsui I agree Posada's days behind the plate are probably coming to an end, at least as an every day catcher. They'll probably have Cervelli and maybe retain Molina to handle most of the catching duties. We have a pair of highly regarded C prospects in AA so we'll see how long until 1 of them is ready, probably another season or 2.

Now to the pitchers. Andy might be back for another go, we'll see how that works out. I can also see them giving Wang a low guaranteed salary deal with a bunch of incentives, similar to what Pavano got from cleveland this year. Haven't heard anything recently so not 100% where he is in terms of coming back. I'd like to see them give both Joba and Hughes a shot in the rotation, however they need to make that decision early and just stick with it, and probably stick with that decision for the long term so those guys know they're either starters or relievers. Hughes looked real good in the setup role and maybe he's gotten the confidence and swagger back that he had when he was in the minors and was a BEAST. I could see us bringing in a mid-rotation type but not going after someone in the Lackey/Holliday/Vazquez types. Bedard at this point is to hit or miss with the injuries, unless Andy's back they wouldn't go for him. If they put Hughes in the pen, maybe a guy like Washburn or Piniero but not really sure. If they put Hughes in the rotation, not sure if they'd go with one of the young guys like robertson in the setup role or bring in a vet.

No matter what, we know it will be an interesting offseason as a yankee fan. Even when we're not really interested in someone, our name is always involved in whatevers going on.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

Who are you guys pinning for this offseason?

Holliday?
Duchscherer?
Cameron?
Bedard?
Bay?
Lackey?
Molina?
Garland?
Soriano?
Rodney?

All of the above? That doesn't even include the choice between Damon/Matsui.

I was just trying to think what position Boston might be after. I am sure that is the route they will go. Bay is coming to the Yankees without a doubt.

[Goody]

I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

[CommishJoe]

Originally Posted by Goody

I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

Why?

[CommishJoe]

Could there be some help for Cashman on the horizon? Check out this snipet from Foxsports rumors:

Former Padres general manager Kevin Towers, a free-agent executive, says he will attend the winter meetings in Indianapolis and meet with three or four clubs.

"I'd like to align myself with a winning organization, someone I trust, someone I like working with — to be honest, preferably an American League team, just to become more familiar with that league," Towers says.

"I've been in the National League my whole life. The way I look at it, if a GM job opened a year from now in the American League, I'd have a better idea how to put a ballclub together from American League perspective. It's completely different than the National League."

Towers worked for Red Sox president Larry Lucchino and helped develop Sox GM Theo Epstein in San Diego, but most in the industry assume he will end up working for the Yankees and their GM, Brian Cashman.

"Cash is certainly a good friend of mine, somebody I've got a great deal of respect for," Towers says. "There is nothing done by any means. But if Brian Cashman had interest in my services, he's somebody I'd listen to."

[CommishJoe]

Yes its the post, but we gotta get some conversation started..

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman meets with ownership to discuss offseason - NYPOST.com

I would love to see Figgins in LF next year. I also wouldn't mind seeing the Yankees going after a lesser known SP like Wolf, put Hughes back in the rotation and leave Chamberlain in the pen. That would give them CC, Burnett, Pettitte (we all know he's coming back ), Wolf and Hughes. Sign Soriano to take Hughes' spot in the bullpen. That would basically wrap things up for this year.

And, no, I don't think we should sell the farm for Halladay.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Yes its the post, but we gotta get some conversation started..

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman meets with ownership to discuss offseason - NYPOST.com

I would love to see Figgins in LF next year. I also wouldn't mind seeing the Yankees going after a lesser known SP like Wolf, put Hughes back in the rotation and leave Chamberlain in the pen. That would give them CC, Burnett, Pettitte (we all know he's coming back ), Wolf and Hughes. Sign Soriano to take Hughes' spot in the bullpen. That would basically wrap things up for this year.

And, no, I don't think we should sell the farm for Halladay.

From everything I have read the Phillies are very interested in Figgins as well. Have the Yankees gotten into the Bay discussions yet?

[CommishJoe]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

From everything I have read the Phillies are very interested in Figgins as well. Have the Yankees gotten into the Bay discussions yet?

They haven't gotten into any discussions yet. Cashman gets his budget within the next day or two. He'll dive in after that.

With the Phils probably signing Polanco, I would think their interest in Figgins will diminish. I can't believe Polanco is getting $9m/year.

[CommishJoe]

Yankees interested in signing DeRosa? Personally, I'd rather see Figgins in pinstripes. Here's the snipet from foxsports:

Mark DeRosa remains one of the more popular free agents. The Giants have been surprisingly aggressive, according to one source, and the Phillies and Cardinals maintain interest. And don't rule out the Yankees.


Mark DeRosa is again attracting plenty of suitors. (Jeff Gross / Getty Images)

For now, the Yankees are focused on their own free agents — left fielder Johnny Damon, designated hitter Hideki Matsui, left-hander Andy Pettitte. But DeRosa could interest the Yankees even if Damon returns, playing the super-utility role that many in baseball believe suits him best.

And something that's worth keeping in mind: DeRosa grew up in New Jersey and may welcome the opportunity to play in New York.

DeRosa could spell Damon in left and Alex Rodriguez at third, and also fill in at first, right and DH. At the moment, first baseman Juan Miranda and infielder Ramiro Pena are the Yankees' only infield reserves. Jerry Hairston and Eric Hinske are free agents.

Then again, DeRosa turns 35 on Feb. 26, making him only about 16 months younger than Damon. What's more, DeRosa is coming off surgery on his left wrist. Keep in mind, though, that he has rarely played regularly, appearing in a mere 1,032 games in his career. Damon has played in more than double that number.

Could the Yankees re-sign Damon, add DeRosa and still address their likely bullpen needs? Doubtful. Which raises the possibility of a younger alternative to both Damon and DeRosa, a switch-hitting leadoff man who could play left or serve a super-utility role.

Chone Figgins.

The fit would not be ideal — Figgins, who turns 32 on Jan. 22, does not possess prototypical left-field power, just as he does not possess prototypical third-base power. He is better defensively at third base than he would be in left. And the Yankees almost certainly would be reluctant to bat him leadoff and return Derek Jeter to the No. 2 spot.

Still, Figgins is athletic. He steals bases. He is the type of player that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman generally is seeking. And, like DeRosa, he might be best in a super-utility role, playing nearly every day somewhere.

The Yankees might not want to play Damon every day in left if he returns. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez also will need days off. Pena presumably will back up Jeter, but at some point the Yankees will need to address the rest of their bench.

And no, Wilson Betemit or Cody Ransom will not be the answer

[CommishJoe]

Bruney has been traded to the Nationals. Interesting deal since one of the Yankees needs is bullpen help. Snipet from CNNSI....

Yankees trade Bruney to Nationals
The Yankees traded Brian Bruney to the Nationals for a player to be named. Bruney appeared in 44 games for the Yankees as a reliever in 2009, going 3.92 with 36 strikeouts and 23 walks in 39 innings.



Read more: Buzz from major league baseball's winter meetings - Jon Heyman - SI.com